Ocean County Library Holds Program On The Dangers Of Heroin

It’s no secret that Ocean County is suffering from a heroin epidemic.

An article from the Sandpaper points out that in Ocean County there has been a rapid increase in the number of fatal drug overdoses, nearly double the 2012 total.

With the rise in related news stories, the Asbury Park Press has even created a “Heroin Epidemic At The Jersey Shore” section filled with news on the topic.

Ocean County Library Lacey Branch

Ocean County Library has been partnering with several agencies and community groups to get information out to raise awareness on the area’s heroin problem. The Lacey branch hosted an informative program about the dangers of the drug to a packed audience on November 25.

“This is a topic that needs to be addressed in our community,” said Pham Condello, Supervising Librarian of Young Adult Services, who helped organize the program. “These types of programs are extremely important to helping teens, their parents and their educators.”

Topics covered included the effects of heroin on the body, how to tell if someone is using the drug and what the legal ramifications are if one is caught using or dealing.

The program will be repeated at the Toms River branch on December 5. To register, click here. The program starts at 6:30 pm.

These programs are funded through a collaboration between various community organizations including the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Ocean County Health Department, the Municipal Alliance Project and the Ocean County Library.

If you or someone you know is dealing with drug abuse, they can check out the Ocean County Health Department’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Resource Directory for find information about recovery and assistance.

Ocean County Library Lakewood branch to host free US citizenship classes for adults

TOMS RIVER – Ocean County Library’s Lakewood branch, 301 Lexington Ave., will host a seven-session class to prepare people who want to take the test for US citizenship.

The class is appropriate for adults 18 years and older who have lawful and continuous permanent residency in the United States for a minimum of five years.  Those attending should have been physically present in the United States for thirty months, with at least three months living in the same state or district. 

Anyone with questions about whether their individual circumstances would qualify should call Richard Potter at the library (732) 363-1435 ext. 2117.

The class will instruct the students on all topics covered by the test for US citizenship, including civics and American history, and offer practice exercises on English reading and written vocabulary. 

The test itself will not be administered as part of the class.  The test for US citizenship is only administered by US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The class will be held on Mondays: January 6, 13, 20, 27 & February 3, 10, 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the branch. It is free of charge.

Registration is required because of the limited class size.  Registration begins December 3.

For more information or to register, please contact Richard Potter, Senior Librarian, at (732) 363-1435 or rpotter@theoceancountylibrary.org .

OCL hosted 2 Doctor Who programs

The Ocean County Library helped celebrate the 50^th birthday of the British science fiction series Doctor Who with two special programs in November.

The first program was coordinated by Berkeley Branch Teen Librarian Natalie Niziolek, who held a teen event for Doctor Who fans that involved crafts, refreshments and a Jeopardy trivia game.

“It was definitely a good time and I’m glad I was able to get so many teens outside the Bayville area and to come from other sections of Southern Ocean County. It was nice to see new faces,’’ Niziolek said.

The 90-minute program drew nearly 20 teens to the library on Nov. 19 that also included watching some Doctor Who clips and an episode of the iconic show. Most of those who turned out were attired in costumes from the show or T-shirts.

On Nov. 20, Public Information Officer Bob Vosseller hosted a program called “Doctor Who: A 50^th Anniversary Celebration.’’  He and Toms River Senior Librarian Matt Willbergh put together an event that involved a tribute to all 11 actors who have played the lead character of the science fiction series.

The program also reviewed the history of the show from its first telecast on Nov. 23, 1963 to its ultimate cancellation in the late 1980s, a 1996 television movie on FOX TV and its return as a TV series in England in 2005.

Fifty people were in attendance at the program and like the Berkeley program many wore Doctor Who costumes or T-Shirts.  Several attendees brought replica props from the show including the Doctor’s famous sonic screwdriver.

“We were very pleased with the large turnout that came to the program,’’ Willbergh said.

Two prizes were raffled off including a ticket to see the 50^th Anniversary Special (that aired on BBC America on Nov. 23 in a global simulcast) on Nov. 25 in 3-D format at the Lowes-AMC Theater at the Seacourt Pavilion in Toms River. The second prize was a Doctor Who toy collectible.

Short videos were shown of each Doctor plus a few trailers of the Doctor Who special and a BBC film about how the series was created. A question and answer period was also held along with an interactive discussion about what audience members wanted to see in the Doctor Who special.

“There were some major Doctor Who fans in the audience from parents who watched the show in 1960s and 1970s to those in their teens who began watching it when it was revived eight years ago,’’ Vosseller said.

Attendees at both programs were reminded about the many Doctor Who books, CDs, DVDs and audio books available at the Ocean County Library.

Ocean County Library appoints 2 new branch managers

The Ocean County Library Commission filled two branch manager positions Wednesday by appointing Erin DeLucia and Pamela Dong during November’s commission meeting Tuesday Nov. 19.

Erin DeLucia, who received her master’s degree in Library Science from Clarion University, Pennsylvania, will lead the Waretown branch.

She began her Ocean County Library career in October 2009 as a Teen Services Librarian at the Lakewood branch and created the “Prom Dress Giveaway” project, “Teen Success Camp,” and the “Man to Man: Face to Face” series of programs.

She held the same position at the Jackson branch and cultivated the teen volunteer program, provided outreach to both of Jackson’s middle schools and both high schools.

She also instituted a College Night program, bringing local colleges to the library to talk with teens and their parents about what their schools offer.

Pamela Dong earned her master’s degree in Library Science from C. W. Post, New York, and began her professional career at Queens Public Library. She then worked in four colleges or universities including Ramapo College as an Electronic Services Librarian; Georgian Court University as the Information Technology Librarian; Ocean County College as Technical Services Librarian; and Florida Gulf Coast University as the head of customer services.

Dong will manage the Jackson branch.

Ocean County Library, Manchester to offer SAD seminar and screening

MANCHESTER – The Manchester library branch will present an informative seminar about seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D.) Monday Dec. 9 at 2 p.m.

Health coaches from Kimball Hospital’s Center for Healthy Aging will explain the causes, symptoms and treatments for feelings of increased depression as the amount of daylight decreases and the weather turns inclement in winter. Following the discussion a general wellness screenings and light refreshments will be offered.  

The program is part of the library’s “Chapters of Health” series and is open to adults and teens, free of charge. Please register online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call (732) 657-7600.

The Manchester branch is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Township.

Ocean County Library, Manchester to teach about the Kindle Fire

MANCHESTER –  learn how to use your Kindle Fire to borrow books from the Ocean County Library Tuesday Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. at the Manchester branch.

Call (732) 657-7600 or go online to www.theoceancountylibrary.org to reserve your seat!

In addition to signing up in advance, it is very important that you bring an Ocean County library card number, an email account username and password, plus log in information for an Amazon.com account that you’ve set up prior to this free, adult workshop.

The Manchester branch is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Township.

Ocean County Library, Manchester presents The Warm Hearted Country Carolers

MANCHESTER –  “The Warm Hearted Country Carolers” will play country and bluegrass holiday favorites at the Manchester library branch Thursday Dec. 12 at 7 pm. The 6 member band features guitars, mandolin, harmonica, drums and vocals.

This program is open to everyone, free of charge. There is no registration. For more information, please go online to www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call (732) 657-7600.

The Manchester branch is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Township.

Ocean County Library, Lakewood takes “Tools For Teens” on the road: great turnout

LAKEWOOD –  165 educators, school administrators, parents, students and community members attended a special bilingual presentation of “Gang Wise” at Lakewood Middle School.  The program was sponsored by the Lakewood Branch of the Ocean County Library and the Lakewood Middle School Parent Teacher Organization.

Lt. Edwin Torres, a 23-year veteran of law Enforcement in New Jersey, retired police Lieutenant and Juvenile Justice and Gang Expert, reviewed gang history, gang markings, the impact of gangs in schools and popular culture, general warning signs of gang affiliation and the reasons kids join gangs.

Since 2006, Torres has been a partner of the Ocean County Library Tools for Teens programming initiative.  While he has presented countless times at Ocean County Library branches, this presentation was one of the first attempts at bringing a Tools for Teens program to a school.  The attendance and response from the Lakewood community proved that gang education is something that educators, parents, and students still have a need for.  In addition to their Collaboration with the New Jersey State Parole Board, who teach G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training), Lakewood Middle School looks forward to expanding their gang awareness efforts even more after hearing the all too real repercussions of gang activity amongst children as young as 9 years old.

The Ocean County Library will also present a special Tools for Teens Presentation about Drug Use & Heroin at the following library locations:

Lacey Branch 11/25, 6:00 sign in with a 6:30 start time

Toms River branch 12/5, 6:00 sign in with a 6:30 start time

This presentation will focus on the effects of heroin on the body, how to tell if someone is using and what the legal ramifications are if you caught using or dealing. Professional development certificates will be provided.

Gang Wise and other Tools for Teens programs are funded through a collaboration between various community organizations including the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Youth Service Commission, Health Department, Probation-Juvenile Supervision, the Municipal Alliance Project, and the NJ Governors Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse.

Return to a simpler time: Ocean County Library presentation of “It’s a Wonderful Life” by Nine Theatricals

TOMS RIVER – Two branches of the Ocean County Library will present “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” in December.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is the classic tale of family, friendship and the power of community in the face of financial hard times.

“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” presented by Nine Theatricals, is performed as a 1940’s radio broadcast in front of a live audience. It gives modern-day viewers a chance to have a look at the behind-the-scenes work that made such shows a success 60 or more years ago.

Several actors play the numerous characters, and just as in the old radio plays, most sound effects are created on stage by the actors themselves.  It includes vintage advertisements and musical underscores that heighten the tension.

The programs will be held:

Saturday Dec. 7, 2 p.m. at the Lacey branch, 10 E. Lacey Rd., Forked River (609) 693-8566

Saturday Dec. 21, 2 p.m. at the Pt. Pleasant Borough branch, 834 Beaver Dam Rd. (732) 295-1555.

These programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Telephone the branch or visit the Website www.theoceancountylibrary.org .

Ocean County Library to screen La Sirga in Manchester

MANCHESTER – The Manchester library branch will screen, “La Sirga” on Wednesday, December 11 at noon, 3 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. See this popular foreign drama film on a large screen without paying the admission fee of a movie theater! 

A Colombian refugee tries to rebuild her life. Uprooted by armed conflict, while war memories invade her mind, Alicia tries to reshape her life in La Sirga, a dilapidated hostel on the shores of a great lake in the highlands of the Andes. There, on a swampy and murky beach, she will try to settle down until her fears and the threat of war resurface.

The dialogue is in Spanish with English subtitles and is 88 minutes long. It is part of the library’s monthly Foreign/Independent Film Series.  Registration is not required. This program is open to all ages although it is geared toward adults.

The Manchester branch is located at 21 Colonial Drive. For more information telephone (732) 657-7600 or go online to http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org.